Fla. Gov. Charlie Crist’s campaign sued over donations

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's Senate campaign is facing a lawsuit by Republican donors unhappy that the campaign has not returned contributions even though Crist left the GOP in April to run as an independent.

Court documents show the plaintiffs who made donations to Crist when he was a Republican want to prevent the campaign from using their money. They also want a refund.

The lawsuit was filed June 22 in a Florida county circuit court.

Because Crist is running against a Republican -- former state lawmaker Marco Rubio -- spending the donations would "actively oppose" the goal of electing a Republican senator, the lawsuit alleges.

Crist started his campaign in 2009 as a Republican. After polls showed him losing in a primary to Rubio, he announced he was running as an independent. At first, Crist said he would "probably" return the donations. He later backtracked.

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About Catalina Camia

Catalina Camia leads the OnPolitics online community and has been at USA TODAY since 2005. She has been a reporter or editor covering politics and Congress for two decades, including stints at The Dallas Morning News and Congressional Quarterly. Follow her at @USATOnPolitics.